Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Bench warmer on November 12, 2015, 01:58:42 PM

Title: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 12, 2015, 01:58:42 PM
Hi my teenage son has chosen 2 bats he likes the look of the first is a gm six6 Le sh,and the second is M&H 09,would have to be on the lighter side as he's going to be 14 at start of next season but is tall for his age, any thoughts on the 2 bats would be great also what would be the chance of the bats being posted to see which he prefers .




Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on November 12, 2015, 02:07:19 PM
If he's only 14 (and still growing) maybe a slightly cheaper bat than the LE. He may well outgrow it and need a LB/LH in the future.

As for which is best, M&H haven't had the best of times on here recently (that wont take much finding). They aren't the best finished bats in the world if that bothers you. As for the GM it's machine made, so you know exactly what shape you will get.

As for the bat's being posted to see which he prefers, the best thing would be to buy both, and send the least best one back for a refund. It's a pain but that's realistically the only way you'd be able to do that.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Chad on November 12, 2015, 04:00:16 PM
Hi mate, I hear you can get M&H cheaper directly from India... ;)

Jokes aside, I would say that both options are great, but seeing as he's still growing, a great VFM buy would be a GM 808. I know @Vitas Cricket received their stock only a day or 2 ago, so will be worth dropping them a message or call! Have always found GM to be very consistent in terms of finishing, and have never really come across a dud, all the 808s I've seen are amazing!
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: VKS on November 12, 2015, 04:11:24 PM
I can't comment on the M&H bats as we have never stocked them, but GM produce some very good bats and the LE's are excellent. If you would like to PM me some exact specs as to what he would like, I can perhaps get some photos and options across to you.

Regards

Vinay
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Gurujames on November 12, 2015, 04:13:01 PM
Try to encourage him to buy a bat based on feel rather than the look of the sticker, good excuse to spend time in a good cricket shop. Try a few bats blind then you get a sense of the feel.  Of the 2, the GM would give you better value for money in my opinion.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Seniorplayer on November 12, 2015, 04:44:53 PM
Rather than buy blind go into a cricket shop give a few  bats a swing with batting gloves how do feel what's the balance and pickup like then decide.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Centurion on November 12, 2015, 05:02:34 PM
Try handpicking some bats from a cricket shop. But if you are ordering online, I would go for the GM but you can't go wrong with the M&H either. Or you could consider a custom bat so he can pick the bat up and get it to his specs. If that is his first SH bat then you probably want to go for a custom as this way he would be able to get used to it quicker as it would be made how he wants, that what I done and I adjusted very quickly. Hope this helps  :)
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 12, 2015, 06:22:04 PM
Hi thanks for the advice I've contacted a cricket shop who can send some bats for him to check out as he needs to feel the bats in his hands before we commit thanks .
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Red Ink Cricket on November 12, 2015, 07:47:24 PM
I can custom make something to spec for him if you are interested. Drop me a pm to discuss if you want to
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Uzi Sports on November 12, 2015, 08:26:46 PM
In my view, you are better off visiting a good cricket shop near you who have reasonable stock of bats in different weights.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 13, 2015, 08:20:27 AM
Unfortunately we live in Northumberland so not a great choice of cricket shops to chose from,personally would like him to go custom as I think looking at posts on this forum you can get a great bat for your money,but he's all about the labels but with him being a teenager what would his dad know but will keep on at him to hopefully direct him to custom bat option thanks.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: leatherseat on November 13, 2015, 09:00:25 AM
Hi Bench warmer,

I have to echo the thoughts of several others on here- get him trying a few out - two bats of the same model and weight can 'pick up' differently - one will feel 'right'.

How about making an expedition to a specialist shop, or two, part of the present - a day out focussed on choosing the right bat - that sounds like bliss for boys of all ages. He may spot a bat he hadn't thought of before, too.

Enjoy the experience and keep us informed of progress.

Good luck,

David
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 13, 2015, 10:11:01 AM
Will do think I might have to put my foot down,I don't mind travelling down the country to get him the right bat,but he's a teenager who lives in his bedroom so will go down the line if no travel no bat,plus when he gets there it will be a good experience to try all bats even if it's a visit to a custom bat maker will let you know what he chooses.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Turn Of Pace on November 13, 2015, 11:20:19 AM
Just to reiterate what others have already stated, don't buy blind off the internet. If your lad is half decent and his talent is worth spending that kind of money on then get him down to a specialist shop or a custom outfit and make a day of it. Seeing a bat made in front of you is a real pleasure and will be sure to get his interest. On top of that, he would have the advantage of testing the bat throughout the process until he is completely happy with it, and would learn that balance and feel is more important than weight. I appreciate you are in Northumberland, but Kippax wouldn't be too far to go for you and they make exceptionally good bats.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: JB on November 13, 2015, 03:28:35 PM
As a fellow Northerner, Lorimers in Bishop Auckland is the best cricket shop in the area. Just sport in Newcastle is like a jumble sale!!
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: liscon12 on November 13, 2015, 03:42:13 PM
Did any of you guys from the North ever go to Sportscraft in Penrith Cumbria?
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 13, 2015, 04:17:29 PM
Yes went to sportscraft in Penrith very good shop unfortunately it's closed now,been to lorimers in bishop Auckland good shop but not a great choice of bats also just sport is a nightmare trying to find anything is impossible not pleasurable experience.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Andythomo21 on November 13, 2015, 11:42:10 PM
I was going to say Lorimers, very close to you by the sounds of it? Plenty of quality stock and I'm sure he'll find something to his liking.  They also seem to sell older model bats off cheaply so could possibly pick up a bargain?
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Andythomo21 on November 13, 2015, 11:46:26 PM
Did any of you guys from the North ever go to Sportscraft in Penrith Cumbria?

Was that the Intersport?  If so I called in by chance while on holiday once.  Good shop, picked up some Adidas batting gloves if I remember rightly.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 14, 2015, 08:56:41 AM
Yes it was intersport I think the owner retired and know one took it over which was a shame as it was a very good shop,also off to lorimers this morning to get my son to check out some of their bats.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Andythomo21 on November 14, 2015, 06:02:01 PM
Yes it was intersport I think the owner retired and know one took it over which was a shame as it was a very good shop,also off to lorimers this morning to get my son to check out some of their bats.

Let us know how he gets on?  :)
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 14, 2015, 07:16:09 PM
Just got back from lorimers tried out a few bats which was good as he now doesn't like the gm six6 he is now leaning towards a gn classics players but he still wants to try out a M&H 09 so come the end of the month when Santa gets paid we will order both bats for him to try and take it from there.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: JB on November 14, 2015, 07:34:19 PM
Just Sport stock M&H but they were priced at rrp :(
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 14, 2015, 08:26:01 PM
Yes got in touch with just sport they have no m@h in stock so to keep Jnr happy going to have to contact a good online shop and order one for him to hold and test personally I think he will go with the gn but he does like to be different and stand out.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: JB on November 14, 2015, 09:00:12 PM
I'm surprised they sold any, last time I was in they were lying about in the corner like someone had been using them as bowling pins with £375 price tags on!!
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 14, 2015, 09:17:54 PM
You could say that about most of their stock,my wife wont go in she says its a health hazard which is a shame because they could have a much better set up and people would have a much better chance of finding what they want,I don't  know anyone who does not comment on the state of the shop.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: JB on November 14, 2015, 09:21:31 PM
There is a very nice M&H 09 on ebay at the moment from a very reputable source!

They used to have a very good shop on North Road in Durham in the 90's, nothing like the newcastle shop
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Bench warmer on November 14, 2015, 10:10:07 PM
If we get both bats from the online shop I can send back the one he doesn't want and get a full refund,which makes just sport not being a great cricket shop frustrating as it would be much easier going there and him having a good choice to chose from but I'm  Sure he will get the bat that suits him and he likes,just a bit of a pain to have to go to this length to get a cricket bat,but if he gets runs next season it will be worth.
Title: Re: New bat for Xmas
Post by: Seniorplayer on November 15, 2015, 09:43:27 AM
If we get both bats from the online shop I can send back the one he doesn't want and get a full refund,which makes just sport not being a great cricket shop frustrating as it would be much easier going there and him having a good choice to chose from but I'm  Sure he will get the bat that suits him and he likes,just a bit of a pain to have to go to this length to get a cricket bat,but if he gets runs next season it will be worth.

Understand where you are coming from there's no decent cricket shop near me either as  you say  it's so frustrating.